Hit-and-run detector



p 5, 1950 MCKENZIE A. BEARD 2,521,562

HIT-AND-RUN DETECTOR Filed Aug. 8, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor McKenzie A. Beard Sept. 5, 1950 MCKENZIE A. BEARD U HIT-AND-RUN DETECTOR Filed Aug. 8, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor McKenzie A. Beard @Mm WWW Z9. M3518]:

P 1950 MCKENZIE A. BEARD 2,521,562

' HIT-AND-RUN DETECTOR Filed Aug. 8:, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet s Fig.7.

Fig. 9.

Inventor McKenzie A. Beard B 2mm Fig. 8.

Patented Sept. 1950 7 K UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE I 2,521,562 l i w nI'r N'D-RUN DETECTOR I McKenzie "A; Beard, Huntington, W. Va. ApplicationAugust 8, 1947, Serial No. 767,64?

This invention relatesto improvements in hit and run detectors for motor vehicles, f

An object of the invention is to provide an improved hit and run detector mechanism for motor vehicles which will automatically eject an identification disc or token when the; vehicle thus equipped collides with or hits an objector vehicle in front of it.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hit and run detector mechanism for a motor vehicle attached to the front bumper assembly and being electrically connected with the ignition switch of a vehicle whereby the same will be ready for instant operation at all times the ignition switch is turned. on, but will belocked when the vehicle is parked and the ignition switch is turned off.

A further object of the inventionis to provide an improved hit and run. detector mechanism. disposable upon the: front bumper of a. motor vehicle and electrically connected with-the ignition switch of, said vehicle, ,wherebythe device is locked and rendered inoperative at times ,the vehicle is parked and the ignition switch is turned off, but which isready for instant operation at all times the ignition-switch is turned onv and the vehicle is in motion, whereby in the event the vehicle thus equipped collides with or strikes any object or another vehicle with its front bumper, an identification disc or token upon which the vehicle license number is-impressed, will be automatically. ejected to drop onthe ground at the scene of the. collision, sothat should the driver of the vehicledrive awayw it hout stopping, a positive identificationaof the ,vehicle involved in the collision will be left at the place of collision to be found by the other party involved in the collision, or bythe authorities.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved hit and run detector mechanism for motor. vehicles which will be highly efficient in operation, and relatively inexpensive to-m'anufacture and produce.

Other objects will appear as the description 2* the improved hit and run detector mechanism showing the same connected with an'ignition switch and in locked position;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the improved hit and rundetector'mechanism showing the same in unlockedposition having just ejected an identification disc or token; v

Figure 6 is a sectionalvi'ew takenon'the line 8-6 of Figure 2; p

Figure '7 is a rear elevational view of the improved hit and run detector; I

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8.-8 of Figure 2;v

Figure 9 isa front elevation of an identification disc or token used in connection with the hit and run detector, and I j Figure 10 is an exploded view of, the pivotal parts of the hit and run actuatorrod which form the hinge connection betweenv the front andirear portions thereof. p I

Like characters of reference are used through the following specification and the accompanying drawings to designate corresponding parts.

In carrying'out the invention,. there is provided an improved hit and run detectormechanism for motor vehicles adapted to besupported adjacent each end of the vehicle bumper I which is secured tov the vehicle (not shown) by means of the, usual supporting hangers or brackets Z.

The bumper lis of the usual form of .construction being arcuate in vertical section,'and

. is provided with the elongated slots 3 through its opposite ends through which theforward ends of v hereinafter more fully described.

the detector actuating rods 4 extend to support the transversely extending arcuate bumper or actuating rail 5.. I

The b'fimperor actuating rail 5 is adapted to extend in front of the main bumper i 'a'short distance, so that in case any objectorv another motor vehicle is struck, the rail 5 will be .pro

-jected or forced rearwardly, toward the bumper I to operate the hit and run .detector mechanism ,The-hit and run detectormechanism includes similarconstructions mounted -at .,the, opposite ends of the bumper l, and only one mechanism will be described in detail.

A horizontally disposed cylinder 6 will be internally threaded as at 1 at its forward end, and will be supported by the forwardly extending vertically flared supporting arms 8 and 9, preferably welded to said cylinder 6 at their rear ends and bent at their forward ends and apertured at It] to receive the securing or attaching bolts II which also extend through the bumper l for supporting said hit and run device in position.

A cylindrical guide bushing 12 is provided with an externally threaded head l3 on its rear end for threadable engagement in the internally 5 threaded forward end of the cylinder 6.

A piston or actuating rod I4 is slidably disposed through the guide bushing l2 and extends into the cylinder 6 to support the piston IS on its rear'or innerenda A coll spring*50 is 'dislo the electromagnets 38*wi1l lbe ene'rgized to pull posed about the actuating rod l'4- between the head l3 of the bushing I2 and the adjacent forward end of the piston [5. The rear end of the piston is stepped or offset as 'at [6 to avoid binding of the piston during its operation.

An identification disc or token l1 is-provided with indicia on its surface corresponding to the license number on the vehicle'license tag and will be receivable in the rear end of the cylinder 6 next to the offset-rear end [6 of the piston 2 l5.- A closure .fiap or door I8 will be pivotally supported upon the bearing or'hinge pin l9 disposed between the spaced upstanding apertured ears on the rear upper surface of the cylinder 6, and said closure flap or door l8 will be resilient--.- 5 I minor changes in detail of construction may be ly held in closed position-'by'means of the leaf spring 2| secured at its forward end to the upper surface of the cylinder 6, and havin its rear end resiliently engaging the bearing portion 22 her 33 and will support a pair of solenoids or electromagnets 38 which will be connected in series by the electric conductor 39 with the ignition switch 36 of the vehicle, and to the storage battery and ground connection 4!.

In operation, when the ignition switch 36 is turned off, the T-shaped locking armature 34 will be seated in the notch 35 to lock the hit and run detector mechanism in inoperative position. However; when the ignition switch .36 is closed,

the pivoted T-shaped locking armature 34 from the notch 35, thereby leaving the parts of the mechanism in readiness to be instantly actuated 'in the event of a collision to eject an identification-disc [1.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that therehas been devised and provided .a-'highly eflicient form of hit and run detector mechanism which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and produce.

resorted to without departure'from the spirit of the invention. g

. Having described the invention, what is of the closure flap ordoor I8. 5530 claimed as new is:

A washer 23 is disposed about thelactuating or piston rod [4 to abut' the "forward end of the guide bushing 12, and a coil tensioning spring to the rod by means of the cross locking key 26 extending through the rod forwardly thereof.

'The forward 'end of the rod M will be reducedqo Y der, a-piston in said cylinder and having a piston received between thespaced apertured ears 28 on the rear end of the forward portion 4 of the l. In'combinatioma vehicle bumper having an aperature therein, an'elongated actuating rail,

a rod having its front end adjustably connected to'the rail'and extending through said aperture "movement towards'th'e same, a cylinder supported by saidbumper, a'resiliently tensioned closure member at the rear end of said'cylinder, a guide bushingsupported by said cylinder, an identification 'disc in" the rear end of said cylin- 'rod'slidably mounted in said bushing, said pissaid discfsaidrod being pivotally connected to actuating Piston rod, While the forward '45'the piston rod, aspring arranged coaxially of of the rod 4 will extend through the aperture or A bracket support 3| is secured by the bolt 32' to the'supporting brace 9, and supports the transversely slotted keeper member 33in which the T-shaped locking armature 34 is' dis'posed' for the piston rod to bias the rail outwardly from and forwardly of the bumper, for automatically ejecting saiddisc when said rail is forcibly engaged and'mo'ved toward said bumper.

2. The subject {matter as claimed in claim 1,

an aperture" in*saidbushing, said rod having a locking notch in its'surface and registrable 'with' said aperture in *the bushing when the rail is forward, and a latch m'ember adapted to seat pivotal movement on the pin 3|. In lowered 5 in'said aperture in the bushing and said notch to the ignition switch 36 is open or turned off, thereby preventing an identification disc or token I1 from being ejected or lost while the vehicle (not shown) is parked and while the engine (not shown) therefore is not running.

A vertical supporting-plate 3'l will"be's'ecured in any desired manner to the slotted keeper m'emlock said n'iech'anism in inoperativeposition.

' MCKENZIE A. BEARD.

REFERENCESCITED The following references are of record in the l 1 file of this pa-tent:

FUNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1 6483784 Rothetal l Tov.'8,192T

Stangler Aug 4, 4931 

